A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada, from the Mss. of Fray Antonio Agapida. in 2 Volumes by Irving, Washington - 1829

E-142: John Murray. Very Good. 1829. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Leather. 8vo. John Murray, London, UK. 1829. Two Volumes. Xv, 407; viii, 421 pgs. First Edition/First Printing. Bound in full brown leather with spine and titling and illustrations in gilt and black. Boards have shelf-wear present to the extremities (light rubbing and soiling present to the boards). No ownership marks present. Foxing present. Text is free of marks. Binding tight and solid. In 1830 Irving published his " Chronicles of the Conquest of Granada," one of the most delightful of his works, an exact history, for such it is admitted to be by those who have searched most carefully the ancient records of Spain, yet so full of personal incident, so diversifed with surprising turns of fortune, and these wrought up with such picturesque effect, that, to use an expression of Pope, a young lady might read it by mistake for a romance. FIRST EDITION, THE ENGLISH ISSUE, which appeared only a few weeks after the American. In spite of the near simultaneous release, the text of this English edition does differ a bit from its American counterpart. Despite Irving's use of an imaginary chronicler, Agapida, who's dialog livens up the flavor of the text, the Conquest Of Granada was the product of careful historical research in Madrid. Irving was serving as a titular diplomat, a post which gave him access to considerable resources as well as access to the most important inner social circles. It remains an excellent history on the expulsion of the Moors from Spain. This work, along with The Alhambra highlights both Irving s scholarly abilities and his eloquent writing style. E-142; 8vo 8" - 9" tall .